Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Loudspeaker Review

Industry Disruptor or Marketing Hype?

As audio reviewers, we have the privilege of evaluating many outstanding speakers, but every so often, a product comes along that truly excites us—one with the potential to shake up the industry. The Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ are potentially such products, offering a combination of design, performance, and value that could challenge even the most established names in the high-end audio world.

Arendal Sound has quickly built a reputation for crafting speakers that emphasize both technical excellence and value, a rare combination in a market saturated with inflated price tags and diminishing returns. With the 1528 series, Arendal has entered the rarified air of true flagship designs, offering their first-ever 3-way systems. These speakers boast advanced materials like lithium-magnesium tweeters, carbon-graphene midranges, and aluminum woofers, paired with meticulously engineered enclosures designed to optimize time alignment, reduce distortion, and enhance acoustic performance.

The 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ are strikingly ambitious, not just in their size and weight but also in their engineering. These speakers are large, uncompromising statements that challenge listeners to expect more from their audio experience. But towering specifications and elegant design don’t automatically translate to greatness. The true test lies in the sound—can these speakers live up to their claims? Let’s see if the Arendal 1528 series earns its place among the finest speakers in the market.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Appearance

The Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ are as visually imposing as they are meticulously crafted. The Tower 8 stands an impressive 56.3 inches tall (with the included feet) and weighs a back-breaking 174 pounds, while the Center 8+ is a jaw-dropping 53 inches wide and tips the scales at 181 pounds. The sheer size and weight of these speakers signal their serious intent, but it’s the thoughtful design and quality of materials that make them truly remarkable.

Available in Polar Satin White and Cobalt Satin Grey finishes, these speakers exude understated elegance. The cabinets are constructed from high-density fiberboard (HDF) with advanced bracing and butyl dampening to reduce resonance. The front baffle’s compound curve design not only enhances aesthetics but also serves to time-align the drivers for improved acoustic performance. The cabinets are as solid as any speaker I’ve encountered—short of concrete or granite.

The Center 8+ is undeniably the largest center channel I’ve ever reviewed, a visual statement that demands attention. Its design mirrors the towers, with the same impeccable build quality and sophisticated lines. Magnetic grilles attach seamlessly, preserving the sleek appearance while offering protection for the drivers. These speakers look every bit the part of flagship performers, blending modern elegance with functional precision.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Design Analysis

The Arendal 1528 series showcases some of the most sophisticated engineering I’ve seen in a loudspeaker. These 3-way designs feature advanced driver materials, carefully designed crossovers, and enclosures that minimize distortion while maximizing acoustic performance.

The 28mm lithium-magnesium tweeter offers exceptional clarity and extension. Positioned in a controlled-directivity waveguide, the tweeter achieves precise dispersion, creating an expansive soundstage with consistent tonal balance across the room. The 5-inch carbon-graphene midrange driver is a fully sealed design with a massive magnet structure so heavy it requires mounting in a dedicated steel plate. In fact, within its operational bandwidth, the midrange provides more equivalent output than the dual 8” drivers in the 1723 MTM configuration! According to Arendal Sound, their new midrange design ensures low distortion, high sensitivity, and impeccable integration with the tweeter with point source like behavoir.

The 8-inch aluminum woofers feature a prism ridge design for added stiffness and are crossed over to handle lower midrange frequencies all the way down to the lowest notes, ensuring seamless transitions across the audio spectrum. These drivers deliver bass that is both deep and articulate, with distortion levels remarkably low even at high outputs.

The crossovers are equally impressive, utilizing high-quality components like air-core inductors and polypropylene capacitors. This attention to detail ensures optimal performance and longevity, while the ability to adjust the midrange and treble levels on the back of the speaker adds another layer of flexibility.

Read our Arendal 1528 Series Overview for information on the driver tech and design details.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Setup and Electronics

The Arendal 1528 series requires careful placement and high-quality amplification to achieve its full potential. In my room, I positioned the Towers 12 inches from the back wall and 9 feet apart, with my seating position approximately 11.5 feet from the center of the listening area. After experimenting with toe-in angles in 1-inch increments, I settled on a slight 3-degree off-axis orientation, which provided the best sound in my room. These speakers need space to achieve their best performance.

Since I did not have the optional upgraded feet, I placed 1-inch acoustic pucks under the Towers' back feet, tilting them slightly downward toward my listening position. This adjustment enhanced coherence and imaging. The speakers I reviewed were pre-production models, so the treble/midrange adjustments were inactive. To mimic these adjustments, I used the PEQ settings, reducing the tweeter by roughly 2dB and raising the midrange by the same amount—an ideal balance for my space.

The 1528 series definitely requires substantial power to drive properly. I strongly recommend pairing these speakers with a high-quality amplifier rated at least 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms. AV receivers are not ideal, as the speakers’ impedance dips low and demands robust amplification. After the recommended 50-hour break-in period, the tonal balance improved noticeably, further confirming the importance of this step for optimal performance.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Listening Tests

Music Listening

The Arendal 1528 Towers were tested with a range of music to explore their full capabilities in two-channel stereo, both without subs engaged, and then with my 4-18” RTJ subs.  Tracks included Bloom by The Paper Kites, Sweet Dreams by Marcin, The Boy Who Stole the Blues by Mighty Mo Rodgers, and Butcheress by Rabbitology. Each track presented a unique opportunity to explore the speakers’ dynamic range, tonal balance, and ability to immerse the listener.

Bloom by The Paper Kites

This track’s ethereal quality and lush acoustic layering offered a superb test of the Towers’ ability to render subtle detail and create an enveloping soundstage. The soft, harmonic vocals were beautifully placed in the center, with the acoustic guitars strumming with rich, natural timbre. The depth and separation of each instrument were extraordinary, as the sound seemed to extend well beyond the physical boundaries of the speakers. The Arendal 1528 Towers brought this track to life in a way that was both intimate and expansive.

Sweet Dreams by Marcin

This track is a technical marvel, featuring intricate fingerstyle guitar work and a percussive attack that demands both precision and dynamics from a speaker. The Arendal Towers delivered every note with breathtaking clarity and power, capturing the sharpness of each string pluck and the resonant body of the guitar. The quad RTJ 18” subwoofers were engaged for this track, complementing the Towers to deliver a titanic, concert-level experience. The dynamic range of the 1528 Towers was almost frightening, and combined with the subs, the sound reached colossal proportions, providing a visceral and immersive listening experience.

The Boy Who Stole the Blues by Mighty Mo Rodgers

This track’s soulful blend of blues and storytelling emphasized the midrange capabilities of the 1528 Towers. The gravelly texture of Rodgers’ voice was delivered with exceptional presence and detail, while the background instruments were richly textured, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Arendals handled the track with effortless control, making every note feel as though it was being performed live. I played this without the subs engaged and never felt lacking in the low frequencies.

Butcheress by Rabbitology

A heavy and complex track like Butcheress is a true test of a speaker’s ability to handle layered instrumentation and dynamic swings. The 1528 Towers tackled the challenge head-on, delivering crushing guitar riffs and thunderous basslines with precision and authority. Again, the quad RTJ subs paired seamlessly with the Towers, extending the low end without ever feeling overpowering. The combined effect was nothing short of seismic, turning the listening session into a virtual nightclub.

The Arendal 1528 Towers excelled across all tracks, proving their versatility and ability to handle a wide range of genres with ease. Whether it was subtle acoustic tracks or bombastic rock, the speakers delivered a true “High End” level of performance.

Multi-Channel Music Listening

To truly put the Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ through their paces in a multichannel configuration, I set up a 5.4.4 surround system. The towers handled the front left and right channels, with the Center 8+ anchoring the dialogue and primary elements. 

Supporting this was a quartet of RTJ 18” subwoofers to provide unparalleled low-frequency reinforcement. This system was designed to challenge the speakers with demanding, bass-heavy tracks while also testing their precision and tonal balance. For this session, I selected Tiesto’s Boom, Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust, and Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain.

Tiesto - "Boom"

This electronic powerhouse of a track pushed the system to its limits, with relentless basslines and dynamic shifts. The 1528 Towers delivered incredible slam and impact, with the RTJ subs adding a foundation of bass so powerful that it felt almost otherworldly. Despite the room-shaking energy, the system maintained absolute clarity and precision, ensuring every synth line and beat was distinct. The dynamic range of the 1528 Towers was almost scary, delivering a visceral experience that was both thrilling and controlled.

Queen - "Another One Bites the Dust"

This iconic track showcased the Arendal system’s ability to balance midrange clarity and bass punch. The Center 8+ rendered Freddie Mercury’s voice with lifelike realism, placing it firmly in the center of the soundstage. The bassline, driven by the Towers, was tight and rhythmically engaging, while the drums had an explosive snap. The wide dispersion of the 1528 series ensured that every seat in the room experienced the same exceptional performance.

Fleetwood Mac - "The Chain"

This track demanded precision and emotional depth, and the 1528 system delivered on all fronts. The layered harmonies, rich acoustic guitar, and iconic bass riff were presented with stunning clarity and impact. The Center 8+ ensured vocals remained clear and enveloping, even as the music swelled to its dramatic conclusion. The immersive soundstage made it feel as though Fleetwood Mac was performing live in the room.

Movie Watching

The Arendal 1528 system, paired with the RTJ subwoofers, created a cinematic experience that was both thrilling and revealing. Each movie demo showcased the system’s exceptional dynamics, tonal balance, and ability to reveal details I had never heard before.

Open Range – Gunfight Scene

This scene’s sharp, explosive gunfire and subtle environmental details tested the speakers’ ability to handle extremes. The dialogue remained clear amidst the chaos, while the gunshots delivered visceral impact that shook the room. The 1528 system conveyed the intensity and realism of the scene with a level of precision that was truly cinematic.

Master and Commander – First Sea Battle

From the creaking of the ship to the wind in the sails, the quiet moments leading up to the battle were immersive and atmospheric. When the cannon fire erupted, the system exploded with energy, delivering a dynamic range that was almost overwhelming. Despite the chaos, the soundtracks and subtle details remained clearly audible, creating an experience that was as thrilling as it was detailed.

Ready Player One – Race Scene

This action-packed sequence featured a barrage of sound effects, music, and dialogue, all vying for attention. The 1528 system handled the complexity with ease, maintaining clarity and balance. The roaring engines and smashing debris were rendered with bone-shaking impact, while the dialogue cut through the chaos without ever feeling overshadowed.

Dune – Sand crawler Rescue Scene

This sequence, filled with epic sound design and a powerful score, showcased the Arendal system’s ability to handle large-scale dynamics. The roar of the sand crawler and the intensity of the music were delivered with jaw-dropping power and precision. Every detail in the mix was preserved, even during the most chaotic moments, creating an experience that was as visceral as it was immersive.

Besides being world-class Hi-Fi speakers, The Arendal 1528 system holds its own with some of the best and most dynamic dedicated theater speakers on the market, delivering an unparalleled cinematic experience. A theater system fortified with a full 1528 deployment will bring the goods, even in larger THX Dominus size spaces.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Measurements and Analysis

Measurements by Jay Iyagi

The Arendal 1528 Tower Speakers were measured using the standard quasi-anechoic measurement method. The speakers were measured outdoors in free air with tweeters around 8ft off from the ground. This was achieved by placing the loudspeakers on top of a crate. A calibrated earthwork microphone was placed around 1 meter from the tweeter, giving me approximately 6ms of gated window time with accuracy down to around 200hz. Then the sum of the nearfield measurements of the woofers and the port was spliced to achieve the full response. Measurements have been Smoothed at a 1/12 octave resolution.

 

Initial measurement at the tweeter shows an impressively linear response, however knowing that this speaker sits pretty high at the tweeter level (not a realistic seating height for most people) and as per my educational guess that a speaker such as this with a curved front baffle in a large enclosure needs to be measured further than 1 meter away, I decided to move the microphone down to a realistic height just above the first woofer to see what happens. You can see this response labeled “1st woofer level (43 inches)” has a more linear response than the on-axis at the tweeter and that 3db rise at 1khz has been flattened. This more or less aligns with my listening experience as I heard a brighter accentuated 1khz tone sitting closer to the 1528 Towers.

 

Some disparaging comments were made about the 1528 Towers from online commenters who have not heard these loudspeakers but saw the measured data and were disappointed that such a large loudspeaker did not hit low enough to be considered a “full range” loudspeaker. This cannot be further from the truth. As shown above, the speakers extend in a linear and clean fashion (in green) to about 50hz and then the port (in blue) takes over to extend even further. Individuals analyzing such data should be mindful that these are anechoic responses and do not reflect what happens when you put a speaker like this into a room. Typically, the speaker (in-room) would gain about 6db per octave in the bass, which would result in more than a substantial amount of extension and bass quantity. 

 

As seen here, when the woofers and the port are summed, you get a pretty steady roll off about 6db/octave starting just below 50hz. And once again, put into a room, you typically gain 6db/octave below 40hz. Contrary to disparaging comments online, this loudspeaker’s bass response is one of the best I’ve seen.

 

Above is a nearfield measurement of the mid-woofer on the 1528 Towers. As you can see it follows a near-perfect textbook response for a driver used to cover the critical midrange frequencies of 400hz to just past 2khz. 

 

Arguably, one of the most important data points to see is the horizontal off-axis measurements in a loudspeaker. This is because we do not exclusively hear the on-axis response of the loudspeaker but a combination of reflected sounds along with the direct sound from the loudspeaker. Thus the idea is that the loudspeaker’s off-axis response should generally be similar to the on-axis response of the loudspeaker. However, there are limitations and almost always, the high frequencies do roll off even amongst the best-measuring loudspeakers. Here, I see something odd. The high frequencies do not roll off and follow closely to the on-axis response even at the extremes. This once again, usually never happens and it’s my first time seeing something like this. Hence why I measured multiple times to double and triple-check if I had messed something up. Every time I got the same result and thus I concluded that this loudspeaker is just “that good” in its off-axis characteristics. 

 

Along with the horizontal off-axis, the vertical off-axis is also very important. This is when I move the mic up and down the speaker’s vertical plane. This shows once again, textbook or better than textbook responses aside from if you were seated above the loudspeaker’s height (2: Above tweeter) - which would never happen unless you were a tall gentleman that exclusively listens standing up. 

I am not a big fan of waterfall graphs but it does show any obvious signs of ringing or distortion caused by resonances. Here as you can see, it’s extremely clean within the 5ms interval. Meaning you are getting a very inert speaker that’s free of problematic resonances. 

This shows the impedance sweep of the 1528 Tower speakers. One of the first measurements I do is impedance sweeps as it can quickly tell you many things. For one thing, you don’t see any kinks that can be an indication of resonances. Very smooth. Now you do see that this speaker does need some nice capable amplifiers as it dips down to about 3.2 ohms according to my graph here but when I talked to Arendal about this graph, they did let me know that their measurements show a minimal impedance of about 3.47 ohms. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that you’d need a pretty capable amplifier or receiver for these loudspeakers.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Measurement Conclusion

I usually like to finish off my measurement analysis stating Hofmann’s Iron Law.

Three parameters that cannot all be had at the same time. They are low-bass reproduction, small (enclosure) size, and high (output) sensitivity." Hofmann stated that designers could pick two of these three parameters, but in doing so, it would compromise the third parameter.

In this case, the size was the compromise. With a reasonably high sensitivity of 89.5db at 1m and low bass reproduction. Thus you need a big room to put these large speakers in and sit fairly far away (Arendal recommends a room size of 30m²/330sq ft). However, aside from that it’s hard to find any other compromises or flaws. Given the chance in the right room, these speakers are bound to give an incredible bass performance with tonal characteristics that can be appreciated anywhere in the room without having to be locked into a specific axis. Overall, based on its measured performance, I have no doubt that this speaker will mesmerize both the home theater and music enthusiasts alike and serve as a worthy upgrade to the owners of the Arendal 1723 THX Tower speakers.

Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ Conclusion

The Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ are exceptional performers that deliver on their promises and then some. From their stunning design and meticulous craftsmanship to their extraordinary sonic capabilities, these speakers represent a new price benchmark for what’s possible in home audio. Whether you’re a dedicated two-channel enthusiast or a home theater aficionado, the 1528 series offers a level of performance that is unparalleled at this price point.

Although they hold their own against anything in their price range, it’s not unrealistic to compare the 1528 series to significantly more expensive competitors.

Speakers like the Perlisten R7t, Perlisten S7t, KEF Reference 5 Meta, Focal Kanta No.3, Focal Sopra 2, Sonus Faber Sonetta VIII, Paradigm Founder 120, and Paradigm Persona offer fierce competition in this realm, and the Arendal 1528 series stands shoulder to shoulder with them.

With their combination of dynamic range, tonal accuracy, and seamless integration with high-performance subwoofers, the Arendal 1528 series delivers a truly cinematic and musical experience. These are not just speakers; they are a statement of what modern audio engineering, and direct-to-consumer pricing can achieve. For those seeking high-end performance without straying into stratospheric price points, and with a generous warranty and no-risk return policy, the Arendal 1528 Tower 8 and Center 8+ demand your attention, highly recommended.

 

The Score Card

The scoring below is based on each piece of equipment doing the duty it is designed for. The numbers are weighed heavily with respect to the individual cost of each unit, thus giving a rating roughly equal to:

Performance × Price Factor/Value = Rating

Audioholics.com note: The ratings indicated below are based on subjective listening and objective testing of the product in question. The rating scale is based on performance/value ratio. If you notice better performing products in future reviews that have lower numbers in certain areas, be aware that the value factor is most likely the culprit. Other Audioholics reviewers may rate products solely based on performance, and each reviewer has his/her own system for ratings.

Audioholics Rating Scale

• — Excellent
• — Very Good
• — Good
• — Fair
• — Poor

Metric	Rating
Build Quality
Appearance
Treble Extension
Treble Smoothness
Midrange Accuracy
Bass Extension
Bass Accuracy
Imaging
Dynamic Range
Fit and Finish
Performance
Value